In terms of the biology of the brain, gambling is more similar to alcohol and opioids than to cigarettes.

But, yeah, informing people of the risk is critical. Most people develop addictions early in life without a full grasp of the danger to which they are exposing themselves.

Advertising and other marketing techniques and social pressures pull them into the behavior patterns that lead to addiction. Once the addiction is formed, it's usually too late at that point.